Isobel Anderson Morris

The Independent Office for Police Conduct has opened an investigation after a 52-year-old man died in custody at the Metropolitan Police’s Windmill Road suite in Croydon. He had been arrested for failing to attend Croydon Magistrates’ Court over charges of being drunk and disorderly, became unwell, and was found unresponsive during cell checks. First aid and ambulance treatment were unsuccessful. The Metropolitan Police said he had received healthcare and welfare checks and referred the death to the watchdog, which will independently examine the circumstances.

Israeli airstrikes on the southern Lebanese villages of Ansar and Deir El Zahrani killed 11 people, including three children, and injured at least 19, according to Lebanon's health ministry and the National News Agency. Israel said it struck Hezbollah infrastructure after attacks on Israeli soldiers, while Hezbollah condemned the operation as an aggressive escalation and massacre. The strikes occurred amid a US-brokered ceasefire framework that would retain Israeli troops in southern Lebanon until Hezbollah is disarmed and the Lebanese army assumes control, conditions Hezbollah rejects. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said the attacks threatened negotiations, while Israel blamed Hezbollah for violating the ceasefire and using civilians in a military compound.

Dudley Borough Council has warned residents not to donate through fake GoFundMe and other crowdfunding pages claiming to support people affected by the Stourbridge wildfires. Chief executive Balvinder Heran urged the public to remain vigilant while the council develops an official donation channel. The fires spread across more than 500 acres, injuring six firefighters, one of whom was hospitalized before being discharged. The wider wildfire situation has also led to arrests in Staffordshire on suspicion of arson and a sharp increase in fires across England and Wales.

Prince Harry has redirected his share of proceeds from the Diana Memorial Fund to Elephants Without Borders instead of Sentebale, the charity he co-founded to support young people affected by HIV and AIDS in southern Africa. Sentebale received £43,866 from the fund since 2020, including a final payment of £16,743 in 2024, while Harry's £5,432 allocation in 2025 went to the Botswana-based wildlife charity. The change follows Harry's resignation from Sentebale in 2025 amid a dispute with its founder and subsequent defamation litigation. The Diana Memorial Fund stopped fundraising in 2012 but continues to distribute donation income between funds associated with Harry and Prince William.

Five people were injured in a shooting near the residence halls at Virginia State University in Ettrick, Virginia. The university said one person was in critical condition and four others had non-life-threatening injuries. A campus-wide lockdown was imposed and later lifted at about 8:20 a.m., while a significant law-enforcement presence remained. Virginia State University Police and the Chesterfield Police Department were investigating, and no arrests or suspects had been announced.】【。

British cyclist Finlay Tarling, 19, died after a serious accident during the eighth stage of the Volta a Portugal in northern Portugal. Tarling, who rode for the NSN Development Team and was the younger brother of Ineos Grenadiers cyclist Josh Tarling, was involved in the 166-kilometre stage from Melgaço to Fafe. The team, race organisers, the Portuguese Cycling Federation and the UCI expressed condolences, while the race was neutralised and the scheduled podium ceremony cancelled.

Fenway Sports Group has agreed to sell between 30% and one-third of Liverpool FC to 1892 Holdings, an investment vehicle owned by Amit Bhatia, in a deal valuing the club at just over $7 billion. Jeff Bezos is the consortium's lead investor, alongside the Mittal Family Trusts, K5 Sports and EE Capital, associated with Eduardo and Elaine Saverin. Liverpool said the deal remains subject to regulatory approval and other closing conditions, while former managing director Christian Purslow said the investors could provide significant financial backing for Fenway in the coming years.

France’s Constitutional Council has rejected legislation that would have prohibited children under 15 from creating social media accounts from September 1, citing disproportionate restrictions on freedom of expression and insufficient safeguards for privacy. The proposed law also required existing accounts to be deleted and introduced age-verification checks. President Emmanuel Macron has asked Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu to address the court’s concerns and remains committed to implementing the reform before the 2027 presidential election. The decision follows similar restrictions in Australia and wider efforts to regulate young people’s social media access, although such measures have produced mixed results and technology companies have opposed blanket bans.

The Trump administration has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to suspend a D.C. Circuit ruling that bars above-ground construction of a $400 million, 90,000-square-foot White House ballroom without congressional approval. Solicitor General D. John Sauer argued that work should continue during the appeal, while Justice Department lawyers said the ballroom is necessary for national security. Trump has called the appeals court decision politically motivated and said halting construction could increase security risks. The dispute arose after the National Trust for Historic Preservation challenged the East Wing demolition and construction of the ballroom, which began without explicit congressional authorization.

UK house prices were broadly unchanged in July, with the average property price reaching £299,253 and annual growth slowing to 0.1%, the weakest rate since November 2023. Northern Ireland recorded the strongest regional increase at 7.4%, while prices fell in south-east England and Greater London. Higher mortgage rates, affordability pressures, economic uncertainty and the risk of renewed inflation are weighing on the market, although Lloyds expects prices and activity to remain relatively stable for the rest of the year.

Baroness Thérèse Coffey’s X account was compromised and used to publish a fabricated image of her beside a Rolls-Royce Ghost, directing followers toward a cryptocurrency-trading account. Scammers also sent direct messages containing potentially harmful links. The vehicle image was traced to an Autotrader listing, and the incident follows an earlier breach of Coffey’s website and social-media accounts, forming part of a wider pattern of hacks targeting politicians.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating two Metropolitan Police officers over alleged failures in managing Simon Levy after his release from prison on licence in February 2023. Levy continued offending while on bail and was convicted of murdering Carmenza Valencia-Trujillo and Sheryl Wilkins, as well as raping two women and committing other violent offences. The Met, British Transport Police and courts have acknowledged failings, including decisions not to remand Levy in custody. One police constable has received a gross misconduct notice and a detective sergeant a misconduct notice, though disciplinary proceedings are not guaranteed.

Eleven-year-old Catherine L'Estrange from west London has become the first UK patient to receive gene therapy for Bardet-Biedl syndrome, a rare inherited condition that can cause blindness by early adulthood. At St Helier Hospital, surgeons injected healthy copies of the relevant gene into her retina after removing the eye's vitreous gel. The therapy, developed by MeiraGTx, aims to preserve or potentially improve vision, though doctors say it will take years to determine its full effectiveness. Catherine hopes the treatment will allow her to continue reading, while clinicians believe it could benefit more children with BBS10 worldwide.

Katarina Johnson-Thompson has withdrawn from England’s Commonwealth Games team in Glasgow because she has not recovered sufficiently from an earlier injury. Dina Asher-Smith, Daryll Neita, Matthew Hudson-Smith, Amber Anning and four other athletes also pulled out, while Keely Hodgkinson opted not to pursue selection to focus on next month’s European Championships in Birmingham. Johnson-Thompson had hoped to defend her Commonwealth heptathlon title for a third consecutive time, but will instead prioritise recovery and preparation for the European event.

A large study published in the British Medical Journal analysing nearly 500,000 births in Scotland found no link between epidural use during labour and serious complications in newborns, including brain injury, severe breathing problems, sepsis, death or later cerebral palsy. Results remained consistent across high‑risk pregnancies, preterm births and different delivery modes. Researchers concluded that epidural analgesia presents no clinically significant risks to babies and recommended wider, equitable access to the treatment, while noting the study’s demographic limitations.

The competition regulator warned that around 1.5 million UK households reliant on heating oil face heightened exposure to price volatility and lack protections available to gas and electricity users. Following price surges driven by Middle East conflict–related disruptions, the authority found suppliers had not profited excessively but highlighted the vulnerability of off‑grid consumers. It recommended mandatory supplier registration, minimum standards for pricing transparency, cancellation processes and support for vulnerable customers. Government figures acknowledged concerns and signalled willingness to consider additional protections.

A group of 26 former Meta employees filed a federal lawsuit in Oakland alleging the company used AI-driven systems to score and rank staff during mass layoffs, disproportionately targeting workers with disabilities or those who had taken medical leave. The plaintiffs seek a court order to pause layoffs scheduled for 22 July while pursuing arbitration. Meta denies the claims, asserting that humans—not AI—made workforce decisions. The case is reportedly the first against a major US company involving alleged AI use in redundancy decisions, emerging as Meta continues expanding its investment in artificial intelligence.

A major study in Scotland is evaluating blood tests that detect Alzheimer’s disease earlier by identifying p‑tau181 and p‑tau217 biomarkers. More than 50 GP practices will participate, with up to 500 patients enrolled in what is set to be the UK’s largest assessment of these tests in primary care. Researchers and clinicians expect earlier diagnoses, improved patient support and greater GP confidence in using biomarker testing. Patient testimony highlights current diagnostic uncertainties, while study leaders and Roche Diagnostics emphasise the potential to transform Alzheimer’s detection and access to treatment.

Andy Burnham declined to rule out implementing a wealth tax, saying he must first review the UK’s finances while emphasising the need for fairness. He signalled a willingness to differ from Donald Trump and stressed a straightforward approach to UK-US relations. Burnham indicated he would prioritise domestic issues over international engagements, contrasting with Keir Starmer’s approach. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch criticised Labour for tax plans and warned of political instability under Burnham.

Prostate Cancer UK honoured Dermot Murnaghan for his public advocacy after revealing his prostate cancer diagnosis, which prompted thousands of men to assess their risk and contributed to significant fundraising efforts. Murnaghan’s family confirmed his peaceful death at home in north London and encouraged donations to prostate cancer charities and the North London Hospice. A private funeral and a later memorial service are planned.

The parents of Raphaël Pryor, a 17‑year‑old Eton pupil who died after collapsing during sport in March 2024, waited 10 months for a post‑mortem report due to a national shortage of paediatric and perinatal pathologists. They are urging the Health Secretary to address severe staffing gaps that leave bereaved families without timely answers and delay potential genetic screening. The Royal College of Pathologists reports only 52 specialists across the UK, with major regional gaps and long delays for many families. The government expressed condolences and highlighted plans to expand NHS training placements.

Over half of UK households incurred extra costs during June’s heatwave, with many buying cooling products and refreshments as temperatures rose. A YouGov survey for MyVoucherCodes found that most respondents experienced heatwave-related anxiety and that some spent over £50 or even £100 to stay cool. Experts warn rising temperatures are creating new financial pressures and advise consumers to buy cautiously online, keep homes shaded during peak heat, and use refillable bottles to reduce costs and waste.

Princess Kate attended the Wimbledon Ladies Final in a bright red outfit, joining family members and prominent tennis figures in the Royal Box. She met players and Wimbledon staff, praising Gabriela Dabrowski for competing while undergoing cancer treatment. The visit followed earlier appearances at the Championships, where she supported British player Arthur Fery and mingled with officials and spectators as the tournament progressed.

Anthony Albanese apologised after backlash to comments made about Kylie Minogue during a podcast game, prompting criticism from opposition figures and independents who called the remarks inappropriate and sexist. Government colleagues defended Albanese by highlighting his record on gender equality and the cabinet’s gender balance.

A major review by the Police Leadership Commission concludes that police leadership structures are inconsistent and inadequate for modern policing demands, calling for a cultural reset and improved leadership development. Evidence from thousands of officers indicates significant gaps in training, widespread concerns about nepotism and fairness, and low confidence in senior leadership. Recommendations include restoring central funding for leadership development, national accreditation for new constables, and establishing a National Academy of Police Leadership. Lord Blunkett highlights disciplinary issues among senior officers and rejects framing policing challenges as culture‑war issues. The College of Policing supports the proposals and pledges investment to strengthen leadership and frontline effectiveness.